Battle of Changsha (208)

The Battle of Changsha occurred in 208 AD when Liu Bei's general Guan Yu attacked the major Jing Province city of Changsha, which was governed by Han Xuan. Guan Yu defeated Han Xuan's general Huang Zhong three times, and Han Xuan attempted to have Huang Zhong executed after suspecting him of treason. However, Wei Yan slew Han Xuan before he could do so, and Huang Zhong and Wei Yan surrendered to Liu Bei and became generals in his army.

Campaign
In late 208 AD, following his victory at the Battle of Chibi, Liu Bei began a campaign to conquer Jing Province from its regional warlords, who were loyal to Cao Cao. Zhao Yun seized Lingling and Guiyang and Zhang Fei seized Wuling, and Guan Yu volunteered to lead just 500 troops to capture the final city, the major city of Changsha, which was governed by Han Xuan.

Battle
The ill-tempered Han Xuan relied on his generals to defend the city, and he sent out Yang Lin to capture Guan Yu. The armies met 15 miles from the city, and Guan Yu slew Yang Lin in the third bout before pursuing his forces to the city walls. Han Xuan then sent out the veteran general Huang Zhong to attack Guan Yu as he watched the fight from the battlements. Huang Zhong launched two sorties before being captured, and Guan Yu then released him in order to get another horse and return to battle. Han Xuan reluctantly gave Huang Zhong his own horse, but, when Huang Zhong went out to fight, he felt that it would be wrong to kill the man who had just spared him. Huang Zhong retreated for a third time, and Han Xuan had him arrested, believing that he had a secret agreement with the enemy. He condemned Huang Zhong to death and also threatened to kill anyone who stood up for him, but Wei Yan cut down Han Xuan before he could harm Huang Zhong. Wei Yan brought Han Xuan's head to Guan Yu, and Liu Bei made both Huang Zhong and Wei Yan vanguard leaders of his army. He then made Liu Biao's nephew Liu Pan the new Governor of Changsha. With Jing Province captured, Liu Bei and his army returned to Jingzhou City and changed the name of Youkou to Gongan; Jing Province was soon prosperous.